The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, as there is no credible evidence of current tinnitus.,Service connection for PTSD was denied due to the lack of a valid diagnosis and the absence of supporting evidence linking his symptoms to an in-service stressor.,Colon cancer was granted service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is also considered as secondary to this condition.,The Veteran's cataracts with left eye asteroid hyalosis were found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to his current visual acuity of 20/40 in both eyes.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted. The effective date remains February 3, 2012.
The deciding factor: There is no credible evidence showing the Veteran currently suffers from tinnitus.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), colon cancer, cataracts with left eye asteroid hyalosis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19125293
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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